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They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious Bigotry, alive and well today
Saundra Duffy

Posted on 05/04/2007 5:46:36 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy

They Shoot Mormons, Don't They? Religious bigotry, alive and well today

May 4, 2007 - by Saundra Duffy-Hawkins

“I wouldn’t vote for a Mormon for dogcatcher, much less President of the United States!” There’s a lot of that kind of hateful rhetoric going around since Mitt Romney decided to throw his hat in the ring – as if Mormons are some kind of hideous evil monsters. The loudest anti-Mormon shouts, sad to say, are coming from America’s so-called “Christian right”. How can Mitt Romney hope to get a fair shake in this spiritually polluted atmosphere?

There was another man running for President who faced the same dilemma – John F. Kennedy – only he was the target of anti-CATHOLIC bigotry. In his 1960 speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, JFK said the following: “. . .I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end - where all men and all churches are treated as equal - where man has the same right to attend or not attend the church of his choice - where there is no Catholic vote, no anti-Catholic vote, no bloc voting of any kind - and where Catholics, Protestants and Jews, at both the lay and pastoral level, will refrain from those attitudes of disdain and division which have so often marred their words in the past, and promote instead the American ideal of brotherhood.” John F. Kennedy Library & Museum (Speeches, 1960). By the way, if you listen to the audio version of JFK’s speech, you will hear the hurt and frustration in his voice and the unfair treatment surely must have caused many a sleepless night.

Fast forward to 2007 where JFK might as well have been “whistlin’ Dixie”. The hostility toward Mormons today, in my opinion, is even worse than that suffered by JFK. Although it is said that JFK lost about a million votes to religious intolerance, Romney stands to lose even more if the anti-Mormon evangelicals hang together.

According to Media Matters for America - “. . . a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media” - FOX News is not reporting accurately on the level of evangelical hostility to the Romney run. Media Matters for America points out that among evangelical leaders rejecting Mormons: Shirley and James Dobson (National Day of Prayer and Focus on the Family, respectively), the Southern Baptist Convention (collectively), Pat Robertson (Christian Broadcasting Network), and Dr. D. James Kennedy (Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida). “Among many conservative evangelicals – who comprise a significant part of the Republican base – Mormonism is considered an un-Christian cult.” Media Matters for America (2007)

While stumping in Florida, a man in the audience stood up during the Q&A portion and said the following to Romney: “You, sir, you’re a pretender. You do not know the Lord. You’re a Mormon.” Media Matters for America (2007). This is the kind of un-American, disrespectful treatment Mitt Romney will apparently have to endure throughout the entire campaign – as if just being a Mormon is reason enough to open the floodgates for free flow of pent-up hatred and vindictiveness.

For the record, the Mormon bashers know full well that the official name of Romney’s church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” and the members should rightfully be called “members of the LDS Church” but the words “Mormon” and “Mormonism” have an aura of negativity so they prefer to use the “M” word as if it were dirty.

Less than five minutes cruising around the official LDS website (LDS.org) will show anyone who’s interested that the Church is a Christian organization, with Jesus Christ at the Head. There are no paid clergy – all are volunteers. Humanitarian aid is legendary. Members of the LDS Church believe in strong family values; they are patriotic, they are law-abiding upstanding citizens of their community. Many LDS young men right out of high school go on two-year missions – you know, the guys on bikes – and during their mission they don’t date, read newspapers, go to movies or watch TV; but rather they dedicate two years of their lives to serving others. Many women go on missions as well, and couples, only theirs is 18 months in length but the obligations are basically the same. Most members do not shop or go out to eat on Sundays – reminiscent of the good old days when shops and stores were closed in obedience to the Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy”. If they can help it, LDS Church members do not work on Sundays, either, preferring to spend the day at church and with their families. Church members are encouraged to store up a year’s supply of food and water so they will be able to care for their families in the event of an emergency. The LDS Church believes in self-sufficiency and self-reliance but in the event of a financial hardship the Church distributes food and supplies through their welfare (Bishop’s Storehouse) program. Members of the LDS Church do not drink alcohol nor do they use illicit drugs; they do not drink coffee and tea. A Mormon in good standing, therefore, will not be found in a drunken stupor puking her guts out at 3 a.m. anywhere in the world. Furthermore, members of the church are encouraged to dress modestly, be polite and courteous. And members of the LDS Church are faithful tithe payers. Come on, people, what’s not to love?

So what on earth is their beef, the anti-Mormon zealots? Why is there such disdain for the LDS Church and its members? In Hugh Hewitt’s book, “Mormon in the White House?” he states his thesis that the fierce anti-Mormon sentiment among main-stream Christians stems from one or two or all three of the following factors (in order of importance):

1) “It is just too weird.

2) “A Mormon president will supercharge Mormons’ missionary work.

3) “If there is a Mormon in the White House, Salt Lake City will call the shots, at least on the biggest issues.” Hewitt (2007, p. 221-227)

Hugh Hewitt has written an exquisite book about the Romney campaign and overcoming the “Mormon problem.” It’s a good read and I highly recommend it. Of the three problem points listed in the previous paragraph, Hewitt believes – unless some unforeseen blunder destroys his chances – none of the three is insurmountable for Mitt Romney. (Plus, he has the best hair.)

Well, I’m no Hugh Hewitt, not even close; he’s an icon on the conservative radio talk show circuit. Hewitt could talk circles around me (I’ve seen him in action in Sacramento); he’s brilliant; he’s well educated, well read, no doubt a genius, plus he’s kind of cute. I’m basically a “nobody” – an overweight grandma – but after having researched for this paper, I have come to a totally different conclusion as to why there is such in-your-face angst over Romney’s religion of choice: It’s all about money, power and control (in that order). I think they’re (the evangelical religious bigots, that is) scared half to death and are revving up their attacks, not to save souls, but to save their reputations (which if tarnished would lead to financial ruin).

As I said, all one must do is browse around the LDS official web site to see what the LDS Church believes and stands for. Any reasonable person would conclude that Mormons are not evil monsters at all. In fact, they are God fearing, Christ believing, Holy Ghost following people going about doing good. “You will know them by their fruit” and the LDS has plenty of fruit and they are willing to share.

Earlier, I stated that some high-powered ministries have publicly condemned Mormons: Shirley and James Dobson, the Southern Baptist Convention, Pat Robertson, and Dr. D. James Kennedy – just to name a few. There are hoards of others. Sunday after Sunday, preachers, evangelists, reverends and ministers from all Christian denominations pound the pulpit with anti-Mormon rhetoric. I heard the message loud clear when I was a Baptist and when I tiptoed through evangelical/Pentecostal territories. Was I ever miffed when I later learned for myself the Gospel truth about the LDS Church.

Just think about it, please. If Dr. D. James Kennedy, for example, who wrote the book, The Wolves Among Us, were to admit he’d been wrong in labeling the LDS Church a “cult” that leads unwary ignorant people astray (to hell), what would become of his multi-million-dollar ministry? Suffice it to say, there’s big money to be had by sale of books, tapes, CD’s, videos, and other anti-Mormon propaganda, not to mention speaking engagements and world-wide religious crusades. We’re talking trillions, all told. I realize the anti-Mormon aspect of these ministries is but a small portion of the business, but if the truth came out, that they had been using falsehoods about the LDS Church as a cash cow, their entire empires could tumble.

The ABC News program 20/20 aired on March 23, 2007, exposed the lavish lifestyles of some of the top evangelical preachers – million dollar mansions and personal jets. ABC News - 20/20 (2007) (Again, the LDS Church has no paid clergy.)

It’s nothing new. Severe harassment and persecution has been the lot of the LDS Church since it’s inception in 1820 when a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith saw visions and communed with heavenly beings. Rather than discuss the spiritual aspects of the LDS Church, however, let’s stick to facts of history. Taken from a college-level early American history textbook, Joseph Smith, upon experiencing the visions and visitations, believed “that God had work for me to do, and that my name should be for good and evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues.” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 292). The textbook continues, “They were met with hostility virtually everywhere they went . . . . As the movement gathered momentum, hundreds of people joined the church; entire congregations of churches of other faiths joined . . .” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 293)

During the dark time of American history when slavery was flourishing and when Native Americans were forced from their lands, the pioneers of the LDS Church also suffered at the hands of unscrupulous politicians, governmental leaders, and angry hate-filled mobs. “In the face of relentless persecution, Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, had led his flock to Illinois. There they had established the town of Nauvoo, which by the mid-1840’s had become the largest city in Illinois with over 15,000 people. . . In June 1844, a mob of non-Mormons broke into the jail where Smith was being held and killed both him and his brother. . .The Mormons abandoned Nauvoo in the spring of 1846 as anti-Mormons pounded the town with cannon, destroying the Great Temple. In a well-coordinated migration, 15,000 Mormons moved in stages to the Great Salt Lake.” Ayers, Gould, Oshinsky, and Soderlund (2004, p. 334-335) Many walked all the way and many died along the way, including innocent babes.

Joseph Smith at one time was tarred and feathered by a mob. No jury, no trial, no judge – and they had planned to castrate him, too. On October 27, 1838, the then governor of Missouri issued an “extermination order”: “The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary . . .” Far West History (n.d.) Please note that the order called for exterminating “Mormons” making no distinction between men, women and children, and indeed women and children were subject to the extermination order.

In an event known in LDS history as “the Haun’s Mill Massacre”, precipitated by the extermination order, 30 to 40 LDS families were surprised by some 200 to 250 militia. After the smoke cleared, seventeen LDS people lay dead including a ten-year-old boy. Thirteen LDS members were wounded including a woman and a seven-year-old boy. “A few Missourians returned the next day and took plunder.” LDS FAQ (n.d.) No Missouri militiamen were killed but three were wounded. Just a few years earlier, the LDS folk who died that day had been members of other churches - Congregational or Methodist or Baptist or Presbyterian.

In l976, Governor Bond of Missouri officially rescinded the extermination order and presented apologies for the “unfortunate developments” it caused. Quoting from Governor Bond’s Executive Order: “WHEREAS, Governor Boggs’ order clearly contravened the rights to life, liberty, property and religious freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of the State of Missouri; and . . . Expressing on behalf of all Missourians our deep regret for the injustice and undue suffering rescind Executive Order Number 44 dated October 27, 1838, issued by Governor W. Boggs. . .” Far West History (n.d.) The individuals who harassed, abused, and even murdered Mormons in cold blood were never tried for their crimes.

I read Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and it really touched my heart. There he was, suffering for the Lord in jail, and these religious leaders with highfalutin titles on the outside wrote an open letter (“A Call for Unity”) in which they criticize King’s tactics and basically blame King for the racial turmoil of the time. Though you can tell King is upset and hurt by the attack – made worse because he’s stuck in jail and can’t confront the religious leaders face-to-face – his response is gentle genius. “I wish you had commended the Negro sit-inners and demonstrators of Birmingham for their sublime courage, their willingness to suffer, and their amazing discipline in the midst of great provocation. One day the South will recognize its real heroes.” Barnet and Bedau (2005, p. 881)

King has a few choice words for the Church, too: “If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.” Barnet and Bedau (2005, p. 880)

King signs off with “Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood”.

There’s an eerie commonality between what JFK and MLK endured at the hands of the religious bigots of their day and what Mitt Romney is facing today. I hope and pray that Romney will be able to fend off these undeserved attacks from the religious hypocrites with the same grace, dignity and God-inspired resolve displayed by the other two.

A few popular bumper stickers read: “Honk if you love Jesus” and “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven” or “Jesus is my co-pilot”. Yet, apparently, these same bumper-sticker Christians are the ones waging war against Mitt Romney’s run for the Presidency solely on the basis of his chosen faith in a Church that bears the name of the Savior of the world.

References

ABC News - 20/20 (2007). Philanthropic donations come from your heart, but where do they end up? Ex-money manager says "enough!" to secretive Christian Ministry spending. Glenn Ruppel & John Stossel. United States: ABC News.

Ayers, E. L., Gould, L. L., Oshinsky, D. M., & Soderlund, J. R. (2004). American Passages - a history of the United States - Volume I: to 1877 (2nd ed.). Belmont, California: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Barnet, S., & Bedau, H. (2005). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Current Issues and Enduring Questions - a guide to critical thinking and argument, with readings (7th ed., pp. 867-882). Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Far West History. (n.d.). The Extermination Order and how it was rescinded. Retrieved April 28, 2007, from http://www.jwha.info/mmff/exorder.htm

Hewitt, H. (2007). A Mormon in the White House? 10 things every American should know about Mitt Romney. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing, Inc.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. (1960, September 12). Address of Senator John F. Kennedy to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from http://www.jfklibrary.org

Lds Faq. (n.d.). What was the Haun's Mill Massacre? Retrieved April 28-2007, 2004, from Brigham Young University Web Site: http://ldsfaq.byu.edu/view.asp?q=57

Media Matters for America. (2007). Fox News whitewashes evangelical hostility to Romney's faith. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from http://mediamatters.org/items/printable/200702280002


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: boggsforgovernor; cuespookymusic; election; lds; mormon; mormons; romney; whitesalamanderblues
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To: tantiboh
Joseph Smith taught "plural marriage" - as it's referred to in LDS circles.

Perhaps you could point us to the records of Mormon polyandry then. If you can find them.

I think polygamy is the only fair term.
641 posted on 05/05/2007 7:05:03 PM PDT by George W. Bush (Election Math For Dummies: GOP ÷ Rudi = Hillary)
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To: Saundra Duffy
It made me think of another form of bigots!

so they prefer to use the “M” word as if it were dirty the "N" word

642 posted on 05/05/2007 7:07:49 PM PDT by restornu (Elevate Your Thoughts!)
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To: tantiboh

They showed me the bill, it came in the mail. I saw the letter telling them they were no longer baptised. This happened in the late 70’s early 80’s.


643 posted on 05/05/2007 7:09:53 PM PDT by Netizen (If we can't locate/deport illegals, how will we get them to come forward to pay their $3,250 fines?)
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To: George W. Bush; tantiboh

Actually polyandry WAS practiced in early Mormonism.

http://mccue.cc/bob/documents/rs.early%20mormon%20polyandry.pdf

http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3772

Joseph Smith was married to several women who were already married.

In fact Apostle Parley P. Pratt who was murdered in Arkansas was accused of polyandry and killed, by his new wife’s current husband.


644 posted on 05/05/2007 7:10:24 PM PDT by colorcountry (An Honest Man will change his thoughts to match the truth and a Dishonest Man will change the truth)
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To: tantiboh

<I’m sure the vast of us majority of us would agree with you politically.<

I am sorry to note that you separate yourselves from non-Mormons, (us and you) as though you are in a different class or even race, is in itself revealing. So there’s no need to say more. Thank you for the little chat.


645 posted on 05/05/2007 7:14:56 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( on the cutting edge,)
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To: tantiboh
No one has EVER been kicked out of the LDS Church for not paying tithing. You may be representing the story accurately as you heard it, but somebody in the chain of information is lying.

Just because it didn't happen in your town or involve your church doesn't mean it didn't happen elsewhere. Just like all those alledged Sunday services pouting anti Mormon rhetoric, that I personally haven't heard.

646 posted on 05/05/2007 7:17:01 PM PDT by Netizen (If we can't locate/deport illegals, how will we get them to come forward to pay their $3,250 fines?)
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To: Netizen

Something here does not pass the smell test. There is simply no such thing as a “tithing bill,” and there never has been.

Think of it: by definition, tithing is one-tenth of the income. How would the Church “bill” for tithing with knowing the person’s income?

The LDS Church does occasionally excommunicate members; this only happens, though, to people who publicly preach against the Church, or who commit serious moral sin or serious crime. Not being a tithe payer has NEVER been a valid reason for excommunication.

I don’t know what they showed you, but I am highly skeptical.


647 posted on 05/05/2007 7:18:10 PM PDT by tantiboh
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To: tantiboh
How would the Church “bill” for tithing with knowing the person’s income?

Gee, maybe they asked them. Maybe there's a rogue church out there. Who knows, but, I know what I saw, and they were upset. I don't really care, I was just pointing out that there are good and bad in all.

648 posted on 05/05/2007 7:24:50 PM PDT by Netizen (If we can't locate/deport illegals, how will we get them to come forward to pay their $3,250 fines?)
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To: tantiboh; colorcountry; restornu; greyfoxx39
Yours is an interesting point. I would never vote for Giuliani. You would never vote for McCain. Others on this thread have stated they would never vote for Romney.

You weren't here so let me opine.

In 2000, many Keyes supporters early on vowed never to vote Bush in the general. JimRob himself was pretty much there, maybe not quite but pretty much. And the Buchanan Brigade vowed the same. I was one of them.

In the end, you could count on one hand the number of FReepers from either group who actually didn't vote Bush. I certainly did. I posted here publicly, urging the rest of the Brigade to do so as well. Via FReepmail, virtually all confirmed that they did.

And, galling as it was for some of us to go to work for him, we all rolled up our sleeves to do anything we could to win the Battle For Floriduh for Bush. Turns out that FreeRepublic was still spoiling for a fight with the Dims. For instance, I compiled (with several others) a comprehensive fax and email list for the Floriduh legislature that led to those reports of how all their fax and email was hopelessly clogged for the duration. It was tailored for the use of the jFax.com fax service where many of us opened accounts specifically to shut down and isolate Floriduh. Not that I take credit for this personally, it was actually a race among FReepers to get every branch of the Floriduh political machine shut down. We needed the time for James Baker to devise a strategy to counter Gore's 5,000 trial lawyers on the ground in Floriduh, time for Republican operatives, including FReepers, to organize the mass demonstrations by Republicans against the Floriduh process. The libmedia was in shock at these tactics by Republicans actually taking to the streets. Ah, what a fond memory.

However, the level of opposition to Giuliani makes him a special case. You would see massive desertion if he were the nominee. Conceivably, FR might even become largely a third-party site though we would never abandon the GOP's conservative nominees. Actually, in the event of a Giuliani nomination, we would probably become entirely focused on state and congressional candidates.

The Mormonism theology bit aside, Romney hasn't provoked that level of antipathy with any faction. Except perhaps with some ex-Mormons.

That's my read anyway. We FReepers are a practical bunch. Very few FReepers have truly slammed the door in Mitt's face. At least, not yet. He still has to pass pro-life and pro-gun muster with those arms of our party.
649 posted on 05/05/2007 7:26:53 PM PDT by George W. Bush (Election Math For Dummies: GOP ÷ Rudi = Hillary)
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To: sittnick

Same reasons it wasn’t an issue when George Romney ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968: Evangelical Christians were far less organized a constituency and even less was known about Mormonism by the public and political and media establishments.


650 posted on 05/05/2007 7:27:20 PM PDT by arroyo run
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To: tantiboh; restornu
The choice mystified me at the time, too. Still, as a conservative, I like it; he’s remarkably inept.

He's the Judas goat, intended to lead unwary Mormons onto the Dim plantation.

I don’t know; frankly, I hadn’t heard that it was happening at all. Do you have a couple of articles where I might learn more? I know nothing about Utah politics. If they are finally cracking down, that would be nothing but a good thing.

Google link: FLDS crackdown - Google Search

site:freerepublic.com FLDS Jeffs - Google Search

I agree. It has been interesting, as a Mormon, to be a part of that focus. If Romney wins the nomination, it will only intensify exponentially. Quite a nudge out of one’s comfort zone!

Stand in front of the mirror and repeat: "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."

LOL. Mitt may make things interesting for the Mormon folk. I have the feeling that the Temple is so grateful for him saving them from global humiliation over the Olympics that they're prepared for all of this. It's that Scouting Be-Prepared thing. And Mitt's trying for his Oval Office badge.
651 posted on 05/05/2007 7:35:04 PM PDT by George W. Bush (Election Math For Dummies: GOP ÷ Rudi = Hillary)
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To: colorcountry
There just aren’t many churches out there that: Make you wear regulation underwear. Make you wear white shirts at church. Don’t allow weddings to be a celebration. Dress up like the Pillsbury Doughboy and repeat silly rituals in secret. Control your diet. Ask you intensely personal questions. Demand at least 10% of your income. Control what you consider entertainment. Control what you read. Control who you associate with. Bury you in Masonic regalia. Determine your “worthiness.”

------------------

MAKE? No one in the church makes me do anything! My spouse is Catholic. My friends are Jewish and Catholic. My underwear is none of your business though Victoria's Secret is a favorite store in our family. Our family loves sports, the arts and reading of all kinds of literature AND we enjoy associating with interesting people (religion is NOT a qualifier). Unless it's your money, don't worry about what I bury my family members in. I determine my worthiness and have been told to do so by the church. Even if what you charge is true for Mormons, why should it matter to you if you choose not to do it? Free will is alive and well in my religion.

652 posted on 05/05/2007 7:41:04 PM PDT by EverOnward
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To: tantiboh

George W. Bush is a member of the United Methodist Church, which is why Southern Methodist was selected as the site for his presidential library.


653 posted on 05/05/2007 7:42:36 PM PDT by arroyo run
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To: tantiboh
I agree. I think Romney scares the pants off the MSM. That’s why we’re going to see a lot of hit-pieces such as the recent PBS documentary and the upcoming “Mountain Meadows Massacre” movie. The Boston Globe has been writing snide things about Romney for years.

Just more evidence of the fear a Romney nomination seems to inspire in these people.

Ask yourself, why now? The most credible answer is the Xlinton camp's fear of Romney. Good grief, the corporate Mormon interests, Romney's Bain contact list, Romney's Harvard contacts (because Hitlery is from Yale), individual Mormons, and Romney's personal fortune could probably raise a billion for his campaign. That's even before you count any other portion of the Republican party.

It gives you pause. It must scare the hell out of the Dims. Hitlery's black pantsuit, Ol' Crusty, might turn white at the mention of it.

MA hasn't elected anyone to the presidency since JFK. Romney could take MA away from the Dims, I think. But I don't think Rudy could take NY (I'll grant, maybe he could take PA and/or NJ).
654 posted on 05/05/2007 7:45:43 PM PDT by George W. Bush (Election Math For Dummies: GOP ÷ Rudi = Hillary)
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To: colorcountry; restornu
resty if you follow the thread and the posts I responded to, I was responding to precisely the supposition that Mormons would abandon the GOP. That was suggested by George W. Bush many many post ago on post 461.

You know, I should be quite used to this sort of thing by now.

Of course it's my fault. It's always my fault!

Cordially,
      George W. Bush

655 posted on 05/05/2007 7:51:22 PM PDT by George W. Bush (Election Math For Dummies: GOP ÷ Rudi = Hillary)
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To: Netizen; tantiboh

But in my 25 years I never was sent a bill or asked.

It has nothing to with one baptism or their journey with the Lord if they were excommmunicated it was far greater reason than that which many like to save face and not tell on themselves!

As far as preaching in other churches on the big bad Mormon how so many became aware when they fine out I am LDS and say my Church told me to be careful of the LDS for they aren’t Christian now some one is talking to the sheepo!


656 posted on 05/05/2007 7:55:22 PM PDT by restornu (Elevate Your Thoughts!)
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To: Bernard Marx

I’m sorry for your experience. I believe many in my family feel as you do and I did for a while myself. While I attend the LDS church, the people I associate with in my daily life are not of my faith. I appreciate them for putting up with me and love them for it — I learn much from them and thank God they’re in my life.


657 posted on 05/05/2007 7:57:45 PM PDT by EverOnward
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To: tantiboh

Did a little searching and found this. Seems to be an ex Mormon site, but, it does quote some D&C thing and gives sources. I’m not sure what is mean by losing Celestial blessings, maybe you can explain. Please tell me the ‘secret handshake and secret password are some type of joke’.

Hey, what do you, whoever runs this site had a similar problem to the people I knew years ago.

The first time, I’d been out of the church for about six or seven years. I’d married a nevermo, changed states, and never attended the ward where the bill originated.

One day I came home from work to find an envelope in my mailbox from the local ward. I was annoyed because I’d been telling them to leave me alone. My husband was pissed because they kept visiting, phoning, and sending ward newsletters as if I was a part of their cult.

Once inside the house, I opened the letter. It was from the local bishop, saying he and the other bishop-prick guys wanted 100% tithing participation. They knew I didn’t want contact and would probably not attend some stupid “settlement,” so they had prayed and decided to ask for a minimal amount of tithing, something like $200. I turned over the letter and wrote back that I was not mormon and wanted them to leave me alone and sent it back.

A year later, I received a similar bill. Mormons can be such weird fanatical zealots. They actually think they can force some “Lord” in the sky to manipulate a person they don’t know or care about into paying money to a detestable organization, one so bad as to pull a stunt like this one.

http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_tithing.html

Mormons are required by Commandment of God to pay 10% of all their GROSS income to the LDS church. This includes all income, including, employment, social security, Medicare, foodstamps and trust funds and any other form of income, even including finding money on the ground.

The Church Of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints brings in an estimated 6.5 to 7.0 billion dollars a year in annual tithing revenues. The Church refuses to disclose to the public or its members how much money it receives annually and what those funds are used for. Because the LDS Church is a tax-exempt organization, it does not have to publicly disclose financial books.

In 2005 the LDS Church purchased two shopping malls in Downtown Salt Lake City for $500 million dollars. The Church plans to spend $1 billion dollars renovating them. In official statements from LDS Church, the Church claims that not one dollar of member tithing funds went into the deal.

Mormons are required to attend a Tithing Settlement with the Bishop each year. A member is questioned in a one-on-one interview with the Bishop to ensure the member is paying a full 10%. Those members who are not paying a full 10% loose their temple recommends and are prevented from entering the Temple.

Mormons who loose their temple recommends are in serious jeopardy of loosing their Celestial blessings. A Mormon who does not pay tithing cannot enter the temple. If a member cannot get into the temple, the member cannot learn the secret handshake, secret password, secret “new name” and special sealings. Without these, the member will be unable to pass Joseph Smith and the angels who guard the entrance to the Celestial Kingdom.

Mormons are commanded that tithing must come first before anything else. Utah has the highest rate of banrkuptices in the United States. Mormons often are told “I cannot pay my bills until I’ve paid my tithing.” Mormons will even pay their tithing rather than give the money to a relative who is on the verge of eviction. Mormon published magazines (Ensign, New Era) constantly stress that tithing must always be paid.

Mormons are told: “if a destitute family is faced with the decision of paying their tithing or eating, they should pay their tithing.” (Lynn Robbins, General Conference, April 2005).

Mormons who have not paid tithing will be denied a temple recommend and will be considered “unworthy”. However; Mormons who pay “back-tithing” (some as much as $5000 or more) are instantly found to be worthy and can receive their temple recommends back once the money has been paid.

Mormons who claim that tithing is purely “a personal choice” are deceiving themselves and outright lying.

The transcripts of General Conference talks are now available. This is the title of a talk from Saturday afternoon by Lynn Robbins who says:
Among those who do not sacrifice there are two extremes: one is the rich, gluttonous man who won’t and the other is the poor, destitute man who believes he can’t. But how can you ask someone who is starving to eat less? Is there a level of poverty so low that sacrifice should not be expected or a family so destitute that paying tithing should cease to be required?

One reason the Lord illustrates doctrines with the most extreme circumstances is to eliminate excuses. If the Lord expects even the poorest widow to pay her mite, where does that leave all others who find that it is not convenient or easy to sacrifice?

No bishop, no missionary should ever hesitate or lack the faith to teach the law of tithing to the poor. The sentiment of “They can’t afford to” needs to be replaced with “They can’t afford not to.”

One of the first things a bishop must do to help the needy is ask them to pay their tithing. Like the widow, if a destitute family is faced with the decision of paying their tithing or eating, they should pay their tithing.


658 posted on 05/05/2007 7:57:53 PM PDT by Netizen (If we can't locate/deport illegals, how will we get them to come forward to pay their $3,250 fines?)
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To: colorcountry
Actually polyandry WAS practiced in early Mormonism. Joseph Smith was married to several women who were already married. In fact Apostle Parley P. Pratt who was murdered in Arkansas was accused of polyandry and killed, by his new wife’s current husband.

Oh, puh-leeze.

I was born at night. But it wasn't last night.

Let's see any records of Mormon women with three or more husbands, established in their own households. We can compare it to the endless records of Mormon men with dozens of wives.

Or you could just concede the silliness of pretending there was any significant practice of polyandry. Beyond that, you know perfectly well about those peculiar doctrines doctrines eternal marriage so the discussion is actually quite silly, both historically and theologically.

And I'm not bashing (at this time). But one does expect a certain theological consistency here if we are to regard it as a serious discussion.
659 posted on 05/05/2007 7:58:24 PM PDT by George W. Bush (Election Math For Dummies: GOP ÷ Rudi = Hillary)
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To: colorcountry; George W. Bush

Sorry it really is my vision sometimes it is squinty and blurry for me and other days are ok!

I apologized CC and Geo shame on you to have such thoughts!


660 posted on 05/05/2007 8:06:19 PM PDT by restornu (Elevate Your Thoughts!)
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